Sorting machine for slabs

Abstract

Sorting machine for slabs—that includes a conveying plane arranged to move slabs along a conveying direction, a manipulator device arranged to grasp and release a slab and to move the slab between the conveying plane and one or more sorting stations. The manipulator device has a carriage that is movable along a substantially horizontal sliding direction, an elevator associated with the carriage and movable along a substantially vertical direction, a gripping device associated with the elevator, which is provided with a means for gripping at least one slab. The gripping device rotates around a substantially horizontal rotation axis and is movable along a transverse direction that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the sliding direction.

1 . A sorting machine for slabs, comprising:
 a conveying plane ( 2 ), arranged to move slabs (L) along a conveying direction (t);   a manipulator device (M), arranged to grasp and release a slab (L), and to move the slab (L) between the conveying plane ( 2 ) and one or more sorting stations ( 100 );   characterised in that the manipulator device (M) comprises:   a carriage ( 3 ) that is movable along a substantially horizontal sliding direction (X);   an elevator ( 4 ), associated with the carriage ( 3 ) and movable along a substantially vertical direction;   a gripping device ( 5 ), associated with the elevator ( 4 ), which is provided with a gripping means ( 51 ) for gripping at least one slab (L);   the gripping device ( 5 ) rotates around a substantially horizontal rotation axis (Y) and is movable along a transverse direction (Z) that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the sliding direction (X).   
     
     
         2 . The sorting machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping device ( 5 ) comprises a cross member ( 52 ), that is substantially concentric to the rotation axis (Y), the ends of the cross member ( 52 ) being rotatably connected to the elevator ( 4 ). 
     
     
         3 . The sorting machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the gripping means ( 51 ) is associated with the cross member ( 52 ). 
     
     
         4 . The sorting machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping means ( 51 ) comprises a plurality of suction cups associated with the cross member ( 52 ). 
     
     
         5 . The sorting machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the cross member ( 52 ) rotates around the rotation axis (Y) by a motor supported by the elevator ( 4 ). 
     
     
         6 . The sorting machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevator ( 4 ) comprises a pair of uprights ( 41 ), solidly constrained to the carriage ( 3 ), and a pair of sliders ( 42 ), each of which is slidable along a respective upright ( 41 ), and wherein the gripping device ( 5 ) is associated with the sliders ( 42 ). 
     
     
         7 . The sorting machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the ends of the cross member ( 52 ) are associated with the sliders ( 42 ) in a rotating manner around the rotation axis (Y). 
     
     
         8 . The sorting machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the sliders ( 42 ) are slidable along the uprights ( 41 ) by at least one motor associated with the carriage ( 3 ). 
     
     
         9 . The sorting machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a main frame ( 1 ), structured to be supported on the ground or on a base plate with which the carriage ( 3 ) is associated slidably along the sliding direction (X). 
     
     
         10 . The sorting machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding direction (X) is substantially parallel to the conveying direction (t) and the rotation axis (Y) is substantially parallel to the sliding direction (X).